louisgray.com - Latest Comments in louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

Louis Gray — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:56:50 -0000

Mitchum, I think the general assumption that reading more news is
always better isn't necessarily true. Even in our little niche of the
tech blogosphere, it's not uncommon to see the top 10 sites all write
their own reactions to the same story, so being subscribed to all
actually wastes you time.

But to be more informed about those topics that are important to you
makes sense for sure. If your interests are diverse, it may take a
larger superset of data.

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

Mitch — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:46:40 -0000

I think you mean "less informed," not more misinformed. Being misinformed implies that what you're reading is not true.

I don't think that those who are more informed of more topics "win." I'm an engineer and if I keep my knowledge of a few key subjects current and relevant then I'm doing well by my standards. I don't need to know about irrelevant topics to be a good engineer, or a "winner" for that matter. It doesn't hurt to read the news though. Maybe Louis wants to weigh in on that one.

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

Paul — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:22:33 -0000

The problem is not that I can't control what I read.

The problem is that those that are more well informed win. So I try to get as much useful and relevant information as I can. And there's not a shortage of useful and relevant information.

Everything is useful and relevant if I have broad enough interests. Sure, I could narrow my interests, but that also would make me more misinformed.

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

George Nimeh — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:07:31 -0000

Nice post.

I believe that the the more we share, the better we will become. But I also think that we need much better and simpler ways to control all this information. Right now, it's like trying to manage a Sky+ HD box with a Zenith Space Command. Surely, this can be better.

More here, if you're interested:
http://www.i-boy.com/weblog...

~G~

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

ChangeForge | Ken Stewart — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:52:11 -0000

Louis, good thoughts here. When I first jumped into this back in Feb/Mar time frame, I had thought there was some preset quota I had to hit on participation... I tried a few different services, and didn't really get them.

But I kept at it, and eventually realized 1) what services I liked, 2) how to use them more effectively, and 3) that I was being my own worst enemy and draining the fun out of things. Now I set some goals, but don't stress myself out because this is really all for fun, all for learning...

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

Beth Kanter — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:44:46 -0000

you create your own noise - music for me might noise for you. Brilliant. Adding it to my curriculum on information coping skills - a lot of information self-inflicted or just attitude
http://informationcoping.wi...

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

D. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:28:23 -0000

Nice article. While I see what you're saying is true, it is also true that there is an infinite amount of options out there and some people are indecisive on which they want a taste of, so in the end, they subscribe to more feeds than they could ever keep up with. While this may be their fault, curiosity isn't a crime. Just bringing up another side of the argument. =) But well written post, indeed.

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

Cass — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:44:06 -0000

I agree that the option to be alerted when someone comments on my items is a great feature, and helps in keeping track of the information flow.

Overall it's about being comfortable with how much you want to consume, as long as you have the filters in place to ensure that the most important developments are not missed. To me, all the excess is not a problem, if anything I wish I could spend more time going through the info and follow more people! There are so many interesting people and ideas out there.

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

MG Siegler — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:16:37 -0000

Yeah exactly Louis. As I said in one of the FF threads, if you use it poorly, sure it can overwhelm you, but there are settings that you can control and if you do, it's a really nice feature. For example I only have it turned on to get an update when someone comments on one of my items. I love that.

Re: louisgray.com: You Control Your Online Noise Velocity

JayCruz — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:32:58 -0000

"Noise" is a concept that only exists in peoples minds and only happens to people who feel obligated to follow everything they encounter, when they now they can't handle it.